Coacting wheel ball projecting device

ABSTRACT

A ball throwing machine utilizing two counterrotating wheels positioned so as to grasp between their peripheries, such as a tennis ball, and project it along the mutual tangent line of the counterrotating wheels. A plurality of feed magazines discharging balls one at a time in timed sequence for grasping and projection by the counterrotating wheels. The sequential timed release of balls from the columns of balls in the respective feed magazines is effected by a plurality of escapement mechanisms, one of which is positioned adjacent the exit end of each of the respective feed magazines. The angle and speed at which the ball is projected are adjustable by changing the speed at which the wheels rotate and angle of the entire machine relative to the support on which it rests. The wheels are driven independently of one another, and the escapement mechanisms are driven independently of either wheel. The inner structure of each of the two wheels is made of resilient material which is compressed substantially when a ball is moved therebetween.

United States atent 1191 Serra 111,1 3,815,567 .1451 June 11, 1974 1COACTING WHEEL BALL PROJECTING DEVICE [76] Inventor:

Pacific Palisades, Calif. 90272 221 Filed: Nov.'l5, 1971 21 Appl. No.:198,674

[52] US. Cl l24/1,'124/50, 124/41 [51] Int. Cl. F4lb 3/04 [58] Field ofSearch 124/1, 41, 49, 50, 32; 273/26 D; 74/54; 221/68, 133; 214/85 1-1[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,334,326 3/1920 Strane221/68 x 1,944,499 l/l934 2,716,973 9/1955 2,918,915 12/1959 3,459,1688/1969 3,538,900 11/1970 Samuels..... 124/1 Primary ExaminerRichard C.Pinkham Assistant ExaminerWilliam R. Browne Norman R. Serra, 735 OcampoDr..

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A ball throwing machine utilizing two counterrotatingwheels positioned so as to grasp between their peripheries, such as atennis ball, and project it along the mutual tangent line of thecounterrotating wheels. A plurality of feed magazines discharging ballsone at a time in timed sequence for grasping and projection by thecounterrotating wheels. The sequential timed release of balls from thecolumns of balls in the respective feed magazines is effected by aplurality of escapement mechanisms, one of which is positioned adjacentthe exit end of each of the respective feed mag- I azines.-The angle andspeed at which the ball is projected are adjustable by changing thespeed at which the wheels rotate and angle of the entire machinerelative to the support on which it rests. The wheels are drivenindependently of one another, and the escapement mechanisms are drivenindependently of eitherwheel. The inner structure of each of the twowheels is made of resilient material which is compressed substantiallywhen a ball is moved therebetween.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 1 1 m4 SHEEI 2 [IF 3 PATENTEDJUN11 m4 31315561 SHEET 3 0F 3 imrmr 1 I I i i l 1 COACTING WHEEL BALLPROJECTING DEVICE Previous devices proposed for automatically projectingballs for the purpose of improving theathletic ability of an individualor team had in general been large, bulky, complicated devices of dubiousreliability.

In general, previous devices could not effectively alter their balltrajectory determining characteristics rapidly, simply, and reliably.Previous devices generally utilized large, inefficient ball storage andfeed structures. Generally, previous devices had attempted to utilize asingle source of power to drive all of the moving mechanisms, whichresulted in heavy, expensive, and complicated power transmissiondevices.

These and other disadvantages of the prior art have been overcomeaccording to the present invention.

The present invention provides a small, lightweight, hand portableball-throwing machine which automatically projects balls in sequence attimed intervals. In accomplishing this result, an efficient ball storageand ball feed structure is utilized in which a plurality of ballmagazines are arranged laterally'across one side of a rectangularsuitcase-like structure so that the discharge or exit ends of themagazines feed into a short, simple, and efficient ramp structure thatdelivers-balls under the urging of gravity onto the converging side ofthe peripheries of a pair of counterrotating wheels. The peripheries ofthe wheels at their closest adjacent point are spaced apart a distancewhich is somewhat less than the nominal diameter of the ball which is tobe projected. The cores of the rotating wheels arecomposed of resilient,radially compressible material, and the rims of the wheels are definedby relatively rigid flanges.

The presence of the ball between the peripheries of the rotating wheelsdeforms the cores of the peripheries into ball grasping grooves so thatthe ball is grasped firmly and accelerated to the circumferential speedof the wheels. As the ball approaches the diverging side of thecounterrotating wheels, it is released and thrown outwardly along themutual tangent. line of the wheel peripheries.

Each of the ball magazines contains a column of balls. Balls arereleased from each of the magazines in turn, one ball at a time, bymeans of an escapement mechanism. There is an escapement device in eachball magazine near its exit end. The escapement devices operate so as torelease one of the balls from the column of balls after a predeterminedinterval of time. The actuation of each escapement device is timed withthat of each of the other escapement devices so that one ball isreleased from each of the feed magazines before a second ball isreleased from any of the magazines. The

feed magazines serve as the ball storage receptacles so that noadditional hopper or storage structure is required.

Each of the wheels is directly driven independently FIG. 4, across-sectional view taken along view line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view taken along view line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6, a crosssectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing a tennis ballin grasped position between the peripheries of ball projecting wheels;

FIG. 7, an enlarged view of the escapement mechanism portion of FIG. 2showing the escapement mechanism in the ball discharge configuration;and

FIG. 8, a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the escapement mechanism in theball movement configuration.

Referring particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated a frame 10,which includes a generally rectangular housing 12. Rectangular housing12 is provided with a first end wall'14. The approximate midportion offirst end wall 14 is removed to provide a ball projection port 16. Theentire ball throwing machine is adapted to be transported by means ofhandle 18. Rectangular housing 12 is providedwith a first side wall 20.First side wall 20 is detachably mounted in a position that extendsgenerally perpendicular to first end wall 14. First side wall 20 isdesigned to cooperate with certain fixed structures (as more fullydescribed hereinafter) on rectangular housing 12 to permit first sidewall 20 to be mounted in either a transportation and storageconfiguration or alternatively in a 'ball projecting configuration.

First side wall20 is a generally rectangular planar structure on whichare defined a plurality of ball magazines. The first through the eighthball magazines are identified by reference numerals 22 through 36,respectively, see FIG. 1. Each of the ball magazines is provided with aslot adjacent its exit end. The first through the eighth slots areidentified respectively with reference numerals 38 through 52, seeFIG. 1. The ball magazines 22 through 36, respectively, are defined bythe outwardly disposed surface of first side wall 20 in cooperation withpartitions mounted on and extending across first side wall 20. The ninepartitions utilized in defining the ball magazines are identified by thereference numerals 54through 69, respectively, see FIG. 1.

The balls are guided adjacent the exit end of the respective ballmagazines so as to insure their proper release from the magazines by bar70, FIGS. 1 and 2. Bar is mounted on pivots 72 so that it may be pivotedbe-, tween the locations shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 and thelocation shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2.

First side wall 20 is provided with storage position 10- cator pins 74and 75 that project laterally outwardly from oppositely disposed edgesof first side wall 20. Operative position locator pins 76 and 77 arespaced on the oppositely disposed edges of first side wall 20 fromstorage position locator pins 74 and 76. The respective locator pins 74through 77 are adapted to engage with first and second magazine mountingbrackets 78 and 80 respectively. When first side wall' 20 is in itstransportation and storage configuration, storage position locator pins74 and 75 are engaged with second and first magazine-mounting brackets80 and 78, respectively. When first side wall 20 is in the ballprojecting configuration, operative position locator pins 76 and 77 areengaged with second and first magazine mounting brackets 80 and 78,respectively.

, 3 Ball retainer lip 82, FIGS. 1 and 2, projects outwardly in generallya common plane with fourth end wall 87 so as to prevent balls fallingoff the machine as they emerge from the exit end'of the ball magazines.The respective lateral ends of ball retainer lip 82 are bent through anangle of approximately 90 degrees so as to extend above and generally ina common plane with the second and third end walls 106 and 108,respectively. These extensions of ball retainer lip 82 are identified asend wall retainer legs 84 and 86, respectively. End wall retainer legs84 and 86 are spaced outwardly from the adjacent edges of the respectivethird and second end walls 108 and 106 so as to define slots between theretainer legs and the edges of the end walls. The slots that are sodefined receive the adjacent portions of first side wall for the purposeof retaining first side wall 20 in proper relationship to rectangularhousing 12, when first side wall 20 is in the transportation and storageconfiguration.

Second side wall 88 serves to mount an angular adjustment structureindicated generally at 90. Angular adjustment structure 90 includes asupport leg 92 that p is pivotally mounted to second side wall 88 bymeans of support hinge 100. Brace am 94 is pivotally mounted to supportleg 92 by means of brace hinge 102. A perforated plate 98 is mounted ingenerally contacting coplanar relationship with second side wall 88 andincludes a plurality of holes 104. Brace arm 94 terminates at itsunhinged end in locator pin 96. Locator pin 96 is of such dimensionsasto be received and secured. in the holes 104 of perforated plate 98. Bymoving locator pin 96 from one of holes 104 to another, the anglebetween second side wall 88 and the underlying support structure isvaried or adjusted to a desired value.

Stiffener plates 110 and 112 are mounted to the inwardly disposedsurfaces of second and third end walls 106 and 108, respectively. Firstmounting plate 114 is mounted on rectangular housing 12 adjacent firstside wall 20. Second mounting plate 116 is mounted on the inwardlydisposed surface of second side wall 88. Stiffener plates 110 and 112extend between the respective ends of first and second mounting plates114 and 116 so as to space these mounting plates apart a predetermineddistance.

First and second wheels 118 and 120, respectively, are mounted betweenfirst and second mounting plates 114 and 116. First and second wheels118 and 120 are mounted for counterrotation in a generally common planein the directions indicated by the arcuate arrows in FIG. 3.

First and second wheels 118 and 120 are spaced apart a distance which isslightly less than the diameter of the balls which are to be projectedfrom the machine. When there are no balls in position between theperipheries of first and second wheels 118 and 120, the peripheries havethe configuration illustrated in FIG. 5. When a ball is grasped betweenthe peripheries of first wheel 118 and second wheel 120, the peripheriesof the wheels compress radially to define a ball-grasping groove, shown,for example, in FIG. 6.

First wheel 118 is mounted for rotation on first mounting shaft 122, andsecond wheel 120 is mounted for rotation on second'mounting shaft 124.First and second mounting shafts 122 and 124, respectively, aremountedto first and second mounting plates 114 and 116 so that themounting shafts extend generally parallel to one another. First mountingshaft 122 is mounted to first mounting plate 114 by means of proximalbearing 126, and second mounting shaft 124 is similarly mounted to plate114 by means of proximal bearing 128. First mounting shaft 122 ismounted to second mounting plate 116 by means of distal bearing 130, andsecond mounting shaft 124 is similarly mounted to second mounting plate116 by means of distal bearing 132. First wheel 118 is rigidly mountedto and rotates with first mounting shaft 122; likewise, second wheelrotates with second mounting shaft 124. Stepped driven pulley 134 ismounted to the proximal end of first mounting shaft 122 and steppeddriven pulley 136 is mounted to the proximal end'of second mountingshaft 124. 5

First wheel 118 is composed of a proximal flange- 138, a distal flange142, and a core 146 disposed between the proximal and distal flanges.The second wheel 120 is likewise composed of a proximal flange 140, adistal flange 144, and a core 14'! disposed between the proximal anddistal flanges. The respective proximal flanges 138 and 140 are of suchradial dimensions that at their closest adjacent positions the distancebetween the respective proximal flanges is less than the diameter of theball that is intended to be received between the wheels. Likewise, thedistal flanges extend radially for such distances that at their closestadjacent points they are spaced apart a distance which is less than thediameter of the ball which is intended to be received between theperipheries of the respective first and second wheels. The respectiveproximal and distal flanges are generally rigid so that they are notradially compressible to any significant degree.

The core 146 of first wheel 118 is composed at its outermost peripheryof ball contacting band 148. Extending radially inwardly from the innersurface of ball contacting bank 148 is radially compressible bandsupport 150. Likewise, core 147 of second wheel 120 is composed of aball contacting band 149 at its outer periphery which is supported onits radially'inwardly 'disposed surface by means of radiallycompressible band support 151.

Ball contacting bands 148 and 149, respectively, are composed offlexible, shock and abrasion resistant substances that exhibit a highcoefficient of friction. in contact with the surface of the balls thatare to be projected by the machine. The necessary radial deflection thatis required for the ball to be grasped by and passed between the movingperipheries of the wheels is provided by the radially compressible bandsupports 150 and 151. In general, the radially compressible bandsupports 150 and 151 are composed of resilient sponge-like materialsthat have a large pore cellular structure so as to admit a considerableamount of radially compression without permanentdeformation. The wheelsare mounted on hubs that receive the mounting shafts.

First and second motors 152 and 154, respectively, are mountedinteriorly of rectangular housing 12. First motor 152 is provided with astepped driver pulley 156, and a second motor154 is likewise providedwith a stepped driver pulley 158. Stepped driver pulley 156 iscounterrotation of second wheel 120 with respect to first wheel 118.

First motor 152 is entirely independent of second motor 154 and drivesfirst'wheel 118 directly. Likewise, second motor 154 is completelyindependent-of first motor 152 and is the direct drive for second wheel120. First and second motors 152 and 154 do not drive any mechanismother than the respective first and second wheels 118 and 120. The rateat which first and second wheels 118 and 120 are driven may be adjustedby moving belts 160 and 162 to various locations on stepped driverpulleys 156 and 158 and stepped driven pulleys 134 and 136. In general,the selection of pulleys should be such that first and second wheels 118and 120 rotate at the same peripheral speed.

When first side wall is positioned in its operative ball projectingconfiguration, the respective exit ends of the ball magazines 22 through36 are operatively positioned adjacent a plurality of escapement devices164 through 178, respectively, see FIGS. 1 and 3 in particular. Theescapement devices regulate the release of balls from the magazines.

Each of the escapement devices is substantially idencommon pivot pointof the respective arms and cam 212.

Cam 2 12 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 7 and8. As cam 212 reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 7, the feed-arm190 moves from the 4 position shown in phantom lines to that shown insolid lines, responsive to the movement of feed-arm cam follower'portion198 into the radially depressed portion of cam 212. The portions offeed-arm 190 and stop-arm 192 that-project through slot 44 into ballmagazine are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive a balltherebetween, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 7. The single ballthat is disposed between the respective arms is prevented from exitingball magazine 30 by the presence of feed-arm 190. The remainder of theballs in the column of balls contained within ball magazine- 30-areprevented from entering the spaced between the respective arms by thepresence of the outermost tip of stop-arm 192, see particularly FIGS, 2and 7.

The rotation of cam 212 to the location where its radially depressedportion registers with feed-arm cam follower portion 198 permits theball between the respective arms to be released from the exit end ofball tical to the others and consists of a feed-arm 190 and Y a stop-arm192, FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 in particular. A portion of each of the feed-arm190 and stop-arm 192 projects through the slot at the exit end of theindividual ball magazine so that balls in the magazine contact a portionof the feed-arm 190 and stop-arm 192. The frame 10 .is positioned sothat gravity forces balls against the feed-arm 190 and stop-arm 192. Thestop mounted on an escapement support shaft 194. Feedarm 190 andstop-arm 192 pivot about a common point. Cam shaft 202 is rotatablymounted for rotation about an axis that is substantially parallel withthe axis of escapement support shaft 194. Cam shaft 202 is provided witheight cams, identified by reference numerals 204 through 218,respectively, see particularly FIG-3. Each of the escapement devices 164through 178 is-actuated responsive to the movement of one of the cams204 through 218. The eight cams on cam shaft 202 are angularly displacedfrom one another by one-eighth of a full revolution, or approximatelydegrees, so that they operate to actuate the respective escapementdevices one at a time at regularly spaced time intervals.

The escapement device 170 is illustrated in enlarged detail,particularly in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8. The description of escapement device170 applies equally as well to each of the other escapement devices.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, feed-arm 190 is providedwith a feed-arm cam follower portion 198, and stop-arm 192 is providedwith a stop-arm cam follower portion 200. These cam follower portions ofthe respective arms are biasedinto contact with the surface of cam 212by means of biasing spring 196. Biasing spring 196 is mounted to andextends between the respective arms 19.0 and 192 at a location betweenthe magazine 30.

As the cam 212 continues to rotate between the positions shown in FIGS.7 and 8, there are no balls located in the space between the respectivearms.

As the cam 212 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 8, where theradially depressed portion of cam 212'registers with the stop-arm camfollower portion 200, biasing spring 196 serves to draw the stop-arm 192out of contact with the ball that is at the base of the column of ballsin ball magazine 30. This permits the lowest ball of the column of ballsin ball magazine 30 to move into position against feed-arm 190. Thestop-arm cam follower portion 200 follows the contour of cam 2l2'as thecam continues to rotate. As the radially depressed portion of cam 212moves past the stop-arm cam follower portion 200, the stop-arm 192 isagain moved intothe position, shown in FIG. 7, where it blocks themovement of any of the column of balls in ball magazine 30.

Cam shaft 200 and escapement support shaft 194 are mounted to theoutwardly disposed side of first mounting plate 114 by means of mountingbrackets 220, 222, and 224, respectively. Cam shaft 202 is provided witha driven toothed pulley 226 that is mounted coaxially and rigidlytherewith, see particularly FIG. 4. Driven toothed pulley 226 isoperatively engaged with timing belt 228. Timing belt 228 is driven bydriver toothed pulley 230.. Driver toothed pulley 230 is driven by thirdmotor 232. Third motor 232 is independent of first and second motors 152and 154, respectively. Third motor 232 drives driver toothed pulley 230at a very low rate, for example, four or five revolutions per minute. Bycontrast stepped driver pulleys 156 and l58'are driven by first andsecond motors 152and 154, respectively,

.at speeds of several hundred to several thousand revolutionsper minute.

When the escapement devices operate so as to release balls from any ofthe'exit ends of ball magazines 22, 24, 26, or 28, the balls are urgedby-gravity onto first ramp 234. First ramp 234 extends laterally acrossthe exit ends of ball magazines 22 through 28. First I ramp 234slopesdownwardly toward chute 238 so that gravity will urge a ball on itssurface toward chute 238. Likewise, balls that are discharged from theexit ends 7 I of ball magazines 30, 32, 34, and 36 will fall under theurging of gravity onto the sloping surface of second ramp 236. Secondramp 236 also slopesdownwardly toward chute 238. Chute 238 is arrangedto deliver balls under the urging of gravity onto the converging side ofthe moving peripheries of first and second wheels 118 and 120,respectively. A ball is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1 on ramp 234 andwill move by gravity in the direction indicated by the arrow in thatfigure into chute 238. A'ball is indicated in phantom lines in FIGS. 2and 3 as it enters chute 238, having traveled down chute 236, asindicated by the arrow in FIG. 2.

Electrical switch 240 is a three way switch having a first positionwhere the first, second, and third motors, 152, 154, and 232respectively, are all in the unenergized configuration. The secondposition of the three way switch. 240 is where first and second motors152 and 154, respectively, are energized, and third motor 232 is notenergized. The third position of three way switch 240 is one whereat allof first, second, and third motors 152, 154 and 232 are energized.

In operation the first side wall is positioned in the transportation andstorage configuration with its lower outer edges under end wall retainerlegs 84, 86, and storage locator pins 75 and 74 are engaged with firstand second magazine mounting bracket 78 and 80, respectively. Theintended user of the machine transports it manually in thisconfiguration, by means of handle 18, to the desired location of use. 7e

The intended user of the machine places it on a suitable supportingsurface at the intended site of use and adjusts the angle at which theballs will be projected from the machine by lowering support leg 92 andselecting which of the holes 104 is to receive locator pin 96.

First side wall 20 is removed from its transportation and storageconfiguration and flexible belts 160 and 162 are positioned on thedesired steps of the stepped driven and driver pulleys 134, 136,- 156,and 158, respectively. Preferably, belts 160 and 162 are so adjustedthat the peripheries of first and second wheels .118 and 120,respectively, move at the same rate of speed. I I v First side wall 20is placed in the operativeconfiguration wherein operative positionlocator pins 76 and 77 are engaged with second and first magazinemounting brackets 80 and 78, respectively. Each of the magazines 22through 36 is filled with a column of balls, and bar 70 is positionedover the balls that are in contact with the escapement devices, asindicated in FIG. 1.

Three way switch 240 is moved to the: position whereat first, second,and third motors 152, 154, and 232, respectively, are energized. Therotation of cam r shaft 202, through the cooperative action between theescapement devices and the cams on cam shaft 202, will discharge oneball from magazine 22. One-eighth of a revolution of the cam shaftlater, a second ball will tion 200 and the radially depressed portion ofthe respective operatively associated cam. The withdrawal of thestop-arms 192 permits the lowest of the balls in the column of balls inthe respective ball magazine to move into position against feed-arms190. Stop-arms 192 then return to the position in which they serve tohold the remainder of the balls in the magazine out of contact withfeed-arm 190. The machine will continue to project balls at apredetermined rate dependent upon the speed of rotation of cam shaft 202until all of the magazines have been emptied.

When it is desired to project only one ball at a time, I

for example, where a'coach is working individually with a student, theswitch 240 is moved to the configuration in which only the first andsecond electrical motors 152 and 154,-respectively, are energized, andthe third electrical motor 232 is not energized. In that situation theescapement devices will not operate, and balls may be fed manually tothe converging side of first and second wheels 118 and 120 at anydesired rate.

The ball projecting machine of this invention is particularly wellsuited for use with tennis balls; however, baseballs, ping pong balls,and the like may be used if desired. The proportions of the machine .areadjusted to accommodate the particular ball that is to be used.

The radial compressibility of the cores 146 and 147 is generallyachieved through the use of a resilient, synthetic sponge material inwhich the pores are relatively large, and the material is fatigueresistant. This spongy material is utilized as the radially compressibleband supports 150 and 151. In general, material of this nature does notexhibit good wear resistant characteristics and exhibits generallyundesirable characteristics when contacted directly with the ball. Theradially tacting bands are bonded to the band supports.

cally the stop-arms 192 pivot downwardly responsiveto the cooperationbetween stoparm cam follower por- The escapement devices may beconfigured as desired so long as they act to release only one ball at atime from the column of balls in the ball magazine. Various known ballrelease means, including devices wherein one ball at a time is receivedin a rotating receptacle at one position and discharged after thereceptacle has rotated approximately degrees, and devices wherein thefeed-arm and stop-arm are integral and the ball release function isaccomplished by rotating or pivoting the integral arms, may be-used ifdesired. If desired, ball release devices may be adjusted to releaseballs one at a time from a single magazine until it is empty instead ofreleasing one ball from each magazine in turn.

The side wall may be hinged to the frame instead of being completelyremovable if desired. If desired, the exit ends of the ball magazinesmay be fixed in place adjacent the escapement devices and the remainderof the ball magazines may be telescoped or hinged with the exit ends soas to provide access to the interior of the frame and collapsibility forcarrying and storage purposes.

What is claimed is:

l. A lightweight, small, hand portable device for projecting a pluralityof balls in sequence at timed intervals comprising:

a frame means for supporting a mechanism for projecting a plurality ofballs including a generally rectangular housing;

a pair of wheels rotatably mounted within said generally rectangularhousing for counterrotation in substantially a common plane, said pairof wheels having a diverging side and a converging side, the peripheriesof each of the individual wheels in said pair of wheels includingsubstantially rigid flanges and a resiliently, radially compressiblecore means disposed between said flanges and a compressible support bandmeans for forming the inner portion of the wheels so that when one ofsaid balls of said plurality of balls is positioned between said wheelssaid core means and said band means will be compressed substantially byoneof said balls of said plurality of balls and said wheels willaccelerate said ball to the speed at which said wheels are rotating andproject said ball from the diverging side of said wheels along a mutualtangent line of said wheels;

a ball guide means for guiding balls,-said ball guide means beingmounted on said frame means 'on the converging side of saidpair ofwheels in position to deliver balls under the urging of gravity to saidconverging side;

a plurality of ball magazine means for holding balls mounted on a firstside wall of said generally rectangular housing, each of said ballmagazine means being configured to hold a plurality of balls in the formof a single'column of balls, each individual one of said plurality ofball magazine means having an exit end, the exit ends of each saidindividual ball magazine means being positioned to discharge ballsunderthe urging of gravity onto said ball guide means; and a a plurality ofescapement devices positioned adjacent the exit ends of said individualball magazine means, one of said escapement devices being positionedadjacent the exit end of each of said individual ball magazine means,means for coordinating the operation of said plurality of escapementdevices whereby balls are released sequentially at predeterminedintervals from said plurality of ball magazine means.

2. A device of claim 1, wherein the escapement devices are actuated torelease balls by cams'mounted on a driven cam shaft, cams mounted onacam shaft said cams being spaced at regular angular intervals on saidcam shaft, a feed-arm and a stop-arm being biased into contact with eachof said cams, the feed-arm and stoparm associated with one camprojecting into the exit end of one of the individual ball magazinemeans, the said feed-arm and stopearm being spaced apart in the saidexit end to receive a ball therebetween, whereby actuation of saidfeed-arm by said cam releases a ball from between the said feed-arm andstop-arm and actuation of the said stop-arm by said cam allows a ball ofsaid plurality of balls in said individual ball magazine means to moveinto the space between the said feedarm and stop-arm.

3. A device of claim 1, wherein the first side wall mounting theplurality of ball magazine means i is mounted on the frame means andsaid first side wall is generally planar.

4. A device of claim 1 wherein the ball guide means includes a ballchute mounted on said frame means on the converging side of said pair ofwheels positioned to deliver balls under the urging of gravity to saidconverging side, and a ramp means for guiding balls from the exit endsof the individual ball magazine means to said ball chute under theurging of gravity.

l l l UNITED STATES PATE OFFICE g CERTIFICATE OF CO RECTION Patent1315.567 Dated June 11. 1974- Inventofls) Ngrman R Serra It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

ColuinnlO, line 14, cancel "cams mounted on a cam shaft"; and line 15,after "said" insert --driven-- In Column 10,- line 39, insert thefollowing claim:

5. A device of claim 1 wherein each of the wheels is drivenindependently of the other, the rate at which said wheels are drivenbeing I adjustable, and the plurality of escapement dleviciesi beingdriven independently of said w as s; a

Signed and sealed this 5th day of november 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: McCOY M. GIBSON- JR. 0. MARSHALL DANN Atteating OfficerCommissioner of Patents PORN Po-mso uo-ss) I USOMM-DC 60376-P69 9 U. 5.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I... 0'l6-lll

1. A lightweight, small, hand portable device for projecting a plurality of balls in sequence at timed intervals comprising: a frame means for supporting a mechanism for projecting a plurality of balls including a generally rectangular housing; a pair of wheels rotatably mounted within said generally rectangular housing for counterrotation in substantially a common plane, said pair of wheels having a diverging side and a converging side, the peripheries of each of the individual wheels in said pair of wheels including substantially rigid flanges and a resiliently, radially compressible core means disposed between said flanges and a compressible support band means for forming the inner portion of the wheels so that when one of said balls of said plurality of balls is positioned between said wheels said core means and said band means will be compressed substantially by one of said balls of said plurality of balls and said wheels will accelerate said ball to the speed at which said wheels are rotating and project said ball from the diverging side of said wheels along a mutual tangent line of said wheels; a ball guide means for guiding balls, said ball guide means being mounted on said frame means on the converging side of said pair of wheels in position to deliver balls under the urging of gravity to said converging side; a plurality of ball magazine means for holding balls mounted on a first side wall of said generally rectangular housing, each of said ball magazine means being configured to hold a plurality of balls in the form of a single column of balls, each individual one of said plurality of ball magazine means having an exit end, the exit ends of each said individual ball magazine means being positioned to discharge balls under the urging of gravity onto said ball guide means; and a plurality of escapement devices positioned adjacent the exit ends of said individual ball magazine means, one of said escapement devices being positioned adjacent the exit end of each of said individual ball magazine means, means for coordinating the operation of said plurality of escapement devices whereby balls are released sequentially at predetermined intervals from said plurality of ball magazine means.
 2. A device of claim 1, wherein the escapement devices are actuated to release balls by cams mounted on a driven cam shaft, cams mounted on a cam shaft said cams being spaced at regular angular intervals on said cam shaft, a feed-arm and a stop-arm being biased into contact with each of said cams, the feed-arm and stop-arm associated with one cam projecting into the exit end of one of the individual ball magazine means, the said feed-arm and stop-arm being spaced apart in the said exit end to receive a ball therebetween, whereby actuation of said feed-arm by said cam releases a ball from between the said feed-arm and stop-arm and actuatioN of the said stop-arm by said cam allows a ball of said plurality of balls in said individual ball magazine means to move into the space between the said feed-arm and stop-arm.
 3. A device of claim 1, wherein the first side wall mounting the plurality of ball magazine means is mounted on the frame means and said first side wall is generally planar.
 4. A device of claim 1 wherein the ball guide means includes a ball chute mounted on said frame means on the converging side of said pair of wheels positioned to deliver balls under the urging of gravity to said converging side, and a ramp means for guiding balls from the exit ends of the individual ball magazine means to said ball chute under the urging of gravity. 